[DVOC] Weekly Digest - Number 09-46- 11/22/09

Sun Nov 22 15:25:55 PST 2009

The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club  (DVOC) Weekly Digest 

2009 Banquet!

The banquet was a great success! Anyone who was not in attendance missed a
wonderful evening! All club members thank Bernice Koplin, Joe Koplin and
Frank Windfelder for all their efforts which made the evening such a
success.

Congratulations to the Witmer Stone Award winners Jeff Holt and Bert
Filemyr. And to the Conservation Award winner Arlene Koch. The Julian Potter
Award was not presented this year.

Further information and pictures are at
http://www.dvoc.org/Banquet/Banquet2009Report.htm 

A Display at the Banquet
At the banquet on Thursday November 19th, the Witmer Stone Committee
displayed the approved wayside educational signs that will be erected at the
Cape May Point State Park. Funds are still needed to have these signs made
add erected. Checks should be made payable to DVOC and sent to the DVOC
Treasurer (Bert Filemyr).  For more information about the project please go
http://www.dvoc.org/Committees/Stone/StoneCommittee.htm

Interesting Link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8364778.stm  - submitted by Colin
Campbell

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/speciation-in-action/?npu=1
<http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/11/speciation-in-action/?npu=1&mbid=
yhp> &mbid=yhp - Andy Urquhart

Looking for Screech Owl Boxes

Club member Erica Brendel writes "I'm looking for a few Screech Owl boxes,
plus instructions on how to mount them, for an interested friend.  I seem to
recall that in the past there were some members of the club that had access
to these, or were making them.  Do you know of anyone?"

If you can help out, contact Erica -
http://www.dvoc.org/Personnel/Brendel.htm  

Coordinator for Annual Meeting refreshments needed.

For years, Paul and Anita Guris have been most gracious in making
arrangements for the food and drinks for our Annual Meeting. They have
decided that it's time for someone else to take over. We are deeply grateful
for all they have done in this capacity over the years.

We are looking for a volunteer to coordinate this year's refreshments. The
date is Thursday, January 7th. Most of us are familiar with the kind of fare
we are talking about: beer, wine, crackers, snacks, carrots and celery,
dips, perhaps a hot item such as roast beef. Whoever agrees to do this would
certainly have the freedom to be creative. Of course, all expenses will be
reimbursed. If interested, contact Frank Windfelder or Art McMorris.

We realize one big barrier to people volunteering is the big unknown of what
exactly you would have to supply.  Once a volunteer (or volunteers) steps
forward, Paul and Anita can provide you with a list of everything done for
2007 and 2008, including the what, the quantities, and the side items like
napkins, cups, etc.  That should be a good starting point.

Upcoming Field Trips

November 27 (Friday) - HAWK MIGRATION at RACCOON RIDGE , NJ 

New in 2009 

Do you find yourself with nothing to do on the day after Thanksgiving? Want
to get out and burn off some of that turkey? Or pumpkin pie? Come join us at
Raccoon Ridge for a day of hawk watching. This late in the season usually
bring in Golden Eagles, Goshawks and other late migrants. We will meet at
AMC's Mohigan Lodge near Blairstown, NJ and hike along the Appalachian Trail
for about two miles to Raccoon Ridge. It will be COLD! Dress warmly with
many layers. Bring lunch and a pad to sit on. Meeting time is 8:30 AM. If
you are going to attend, please let me know in advance by email. 

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members. 

Leader: Bob Horton 

November 28 (Saturday) - BRIGANTINE (FORSYTHE NWR), NJ 

Please meet at the refuge parking lot at 11:30AM.

We will explore Forsythe NWR for waterfowl mainly, but whatever else happens
to be around. This refuge is one of the best around for ducks, swans, geese,
sparrows, eagles, etc. and is a great place for beginning birders of any
age. Bring a scope if you have one - but I will have one that the group is
welcome to use, binoculars, field guides - again, I will have several for
group use, lunch, camera, etc.

We will end at Mott's Creek to the north of the refuge for (hopefully)
Short-eared Owls.

Be prepared to buy a hot drink and sit out on the observation platform for
45 minutes or so until past dusk.

Some birds to study for the trip would be most of the ducks except for
Scoters, Oldsquaw, Harlequin, and Eiders, Horned Grebes, Mute and Tundra
Swans, Bald Eagle, Northern Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin, the sparrows such
as Savannah, Song, Swamp, White-throated, Seaside and Saltmarsh, and
Boat-tailed Grackle.

The trip is weather dependant with a weather day of Sunday, November 29.
Same timing.

This DVOC trip is free to members and non-members. 

Leader: Sandra Keller

Upcoming Meeting

Thursday December 3, 2009 - Held at the Academy of Natural Sciences in
Philadelphia

Photo Contest (Birds, Birders, Natural History, Scenery) - Bird ID Quiz
photos - then results
Prizes will be awarded in four categories: Birds, Natural History (non-avian
fauna and flora), Scenery, and Birders. Entries must be submitted in advance
to Frank Windfelder. 
Ornithological Study - "A Fly Fisherman's Observations About Some Diving
Ducks" - Howard Eskin

2010 Membership Directory (also see below)

The new directory is being prepared for distribution at the 2010 Annual
Members Meeting. If your contact information has changed in the past year
please contact treasurer at dvoc.org 

2010 Membership Directory - A "Green" Option

Instead of receiving the 2010 Membership Directory in a paper version, this
year you can elect to receive it as a *.pdf file. Every little step we take
to save natural resources helps!

If you want to receive the electronic version instead of a paper version,
please email the Treasurer - treasurer at dvoc.org

Recent Website Updates

(11/22/09) Mark Sinclair Personal Page (New Member)

(11/20/09) Delaware Valley RBA

(11/20/09) Banquet Report

(11/17/09) Saw-whet Owl Banding Trip Pictures

(11/17/09) Okehocking Field Trip Report

Items Available for Purchase at DVOC Meetings

DVOC Hats - $17 each (or $20 by mail)

DVOC car window stickers - $1 each
"Birders Conservation Handbook: 100 North American Birds at Risk" by Dr.
Jeff Wells - only $25 (limited supply)

"Song of the Blue Ocean" by Dr. Carl Safina - signed by author - A $17 value
now only $12 (limited supply)

____________________________________________________________________________
________________________

DVOC is on Facebook. Check out
http://www.facebook.com/pages/DVOC-The-Delaware-Valley-Ornithological-Club/4
9975018421 

The DVOC has a discount program for Birds of North America Online. Check out
http://www.dvoc.org/Membership/DVOC_BNA.htm 

Report Your Sightings to the Delaware Valley RBA
The Delaware Valley RBA is posted on Thursday evenings at
<http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm>
http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm
It is also available at 215 240 7547
Report your sightings to  <mailto:rba at dvoc.com> rba at dvoc.com or 215 240 7547
The general guidelines of what to report are on the Delaware Valley Rare
Bird Alert Page -  <http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm>
http://www.dvoc.org/RBA/Current/Active/Index.htm

Merchandise Available!
Both DVOC merchandise and Nikon/DVOC Lagerhead Shrikes merchandise are
available at our on-line store. 
 <http://www.cafepress.com/nikondvoc> http://www.cafepress.com/nikondvoc
 <http://www.cafepress.com/dvoc> http://www.cafepress.com/dvoc

Information on the Club and Club activities are at  <http://www.dvoc.org>
www.dvoc.org

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